Permission granted for new micro-brewery

A micro-brewery is set to open in Caerphilly town after planning permission was granted.

Brew Monster is now allowed to open its new headquarters at Lon y Twyn, despite vocal opposition to their plans.

The site was formerly used as a plumber’s merchant, but the brewery wants to use it as a tap room and micro-brewery.

A licence application for Brew Monster to open was approved by Caerphilly County Borough Council last month.

It means Brew Monster will be able to supply alcohol, provide late night refreshments and play recorded music.

Brew Monster Managing Director Glenn White said: “It is a big relief it’s gone through. It is exciting now to move on to the next chapter to get the work done.

“We are still working through ngetting quotes and finalising some of the plans, but hopefully we will be getting a fitter out in the next few weeks.”

Mr White said company will start brewing again shortly and that he is looking to open to the public early next year – although a temporary “pop-up” bar could be running around Christmas time.

The company’s plans had been met with opposition by residents, concerned at its proximity to a school.

In total, 15 objections were submitted in response to the application.

Mr White has vowed to be a good neighbour when the brewery opens and wants to build a relationship with the community.

He said: “We are committed to getting a place that doesn’t have antisocial behaviour and excessive drinking. That’s the point – we are trying to create somewhere people want to go.

“I hope some of [the people who had reservations] are the first to come and try the place. We want o prove ourselves to be a good neighbours.”

A report on the application, considered by the council’s planning committee on Thursday, October 8, recommended the former retail premises could be converted to another use.

Council policy is that such conversion should only be allowed if the commercial vacancy rate of the town centre is more than 10% for more than a year. The latest survey available suggests that Caerphilly’s vacancy rate is less than 10%.

The report stated: “However, this survey was carried out prior to the Covid-19 lockdown and it should also be noted that the application property has been vacant for over 18 months.”

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.